Students rush to apply for funding

The applications cycle has officially opened for Grade 9 to 12 learners and out of school youth who wish to further their studies at any TVET college in South Africa during the 2020 academic year.

NATIONAL NEWS - The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it has been inundated with 141 933 applications since the beginning of September.

In a statement issued on Friday 4 October, the scheme said it is on average receiving more than 4 000 applications a day.

“The number is going as high as 6 000 a day on peak weeks. By 30 September, the scheme had received an additional 27 455 applications, compared to the 101 545 received around the same time last year,” said the statement.

On entering its second month, the applications cycle has officially opened for Grade 9 to 12 learners and out of school youth who wish to further their studies at any TVET college in South Africa during the 2020 academic year. Prospective applicants have until 30 November 2019 midnight to apply for funding.

As part of the application drive to encourage qualifying persons to apply on time, the scheme has embarked on a nationwide 2020 applications roadshow. “The purpose of the roadshow is to reach out to learners and out of school youth who need funding but have challenges with accessing the application resources.” Applications are submitted online by creating a myNSFAS account on the website www.nsfas.org.za.

Applicants with an existing account can sign in using their usernames and password or Facebook/Google accounts. Students can also submit their applications using their smartphones. Applicants should have working cell phone numbers and a valid email address before applying.

To qualify for funding for university and college studies, the applicant should meet the following criteria: Be a South African citizen; intends to enrol at any of the 26 public universities or 50 colleges in 2020; comes from a family with combined household income of up to R350 000 per annum (up to R600 000 per annum if the applicant has a disability), and should not have received funding in 2019, (those who were successfully funded previously, are automatically funded for 2020, provided they meet academic requirements).

Applicants must attach all required supporting documents when submitting an application, which will enable the timeous processing thereof. For full addresses of all application centres visit www.nsfas.org.za